Berlin-Marathon – Mockenhaupt sets a personal best mark in Berlin – European Athletics (EAA) – News

Sabrina Mockenhaupt of Germany set a new personal best of 2:26:21 when she finished fourth at the 37th Berlin Marathon on Sunday.

The 29-year-old improved her previous best by one hundredth of a second set during her victory at the Frankfurt Marathon in 2008.

"It was really difficult; the start was much too slow. I gave everything towards the end but it was not enough. I am satisfied though," she said.

Aberu Kebede of Ethiopia won the race in a time of 2:23:58, a minute ahead of her compatriot Bezunesh Bekele, with Tomo Morimoto of Japan third, in 2:26:10.

Kenyan Patrick Makau won the men’s race but failed to break the world record set on the course two years ago.

Makau ran the race through the rain-soaked German capital in 2: 05:08, finishing 2 seconds ahead of countryman Geoffrey Mutai.

Makau also fell short of the year's best time 2:04:48 that he set at the Rotterdam Marathon in May.

The two Kenyans were hopeful of breaking the world record of Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie, who ran the Berlin Marathon in 2:03:59 in 2008.

Gebrselassie was absent from Berlin this year but he will be running at the New York City Marathon in November.

Nearly 41,000 other runners also braved the miserable conditions to slog it around the city, with the inevitable fancy dress competitors lending some colour to the day and earning cheers from the thousands of spectators who lined the route.

European Athletics (EAA)